SF 3168

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/18/2022 08:31am

A bill for an act
relating to occupational safety and health; permitting injured employees a civil
remedy if an employer willfully or repeatedly violated safety laws; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 182.666, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Willful or repeated violations.

Any employer who willfully or repeatedly
violates the requirements of section 182.653, or any standard, rule, or order adopted under
the authority of the commissioner as provided in this chapter, may be assessed a fine not to
exceed $70,000 for each violation. The minimum fine for a willful violation is $5,000. new text begin In
addition, notwithstanding section 182.671 or any other law to the contrary, the employer is
liable for damages to a seriously injured employee or legal representative or, if death results
from the injury, the employee's heirs or next of kin where the violation was a major
contributing cause of the injury or death. A recovery under this subdivision must be reduced
by any benefits paid or payable under chapter 176. For purposes of this subdivision, "serious
injury" means an injury that causes:
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new text begin (1) more than $200,000 in medical expenses for its cure and relief; or
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new text begin (2) at least 52 weeks of lost work time.
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